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Show ZDje 'Qltrros-Ccfa- Nephi, Utah s Snowmobilers encouraged to prepare early In anticipation of the snowmobile season, officials at Utah State Parks and Recreation encourage all snowmobilers to prepare early for a safe and enjoyable winter season. Utah Vehicle (OHV) Education Specialist Eric Stucki reminds all riders the key to a safe snowmobiling season is proper preparation. Preparation for snowmobiling is not only important for the machine, but also for the rider, said Stucki. All riders should make sure their equipment and their bodies are ready. He recommends making sure the snowmobile is functioning properly, and Off-Highw- that everyone has a properly fitting helmet, good goggles and proper winter clothing. Also, riders should be physically conditioned to handle the rigors of snowmobiling. Of particular concern to Stucki is the number of young riders who may venture out without proper training. Stucki urges parents to enroll their children in a Know 15 to possess an OHV Avalanche Forecast Center and Utah State Parks post avalanche updates for the Western Uintas, Northern arUtah and eas. Free avalanche training Manti-Skylin- e is also available. at was considering regulation changes at Strawberry Reservoir, many anglers were already expressing concerns about the future of this important fishery. Although the reservoir was far from being overrun by nongame fish (as it was prior to a chemical treatment to remove those fish in 1990) biologists at Strawberry were concerned with increasing numbers of Utah chubs, as well as decreasing numbers of large, predatory cutthroat trout. Biomass (total weight) of chubs in spring and fall gillnetting samples had increased from 6 percent to 2 1 percent of the total catch from 1997 to 2001, while the percentage of cutthroats caught over 20 inches dropped from 7 percent to less than percent during the same period. These trends, along with increasing fishing pressure and harvest, led to a recommendation to change the regulation on 1 cutthroats. Beginning Jan. 2003, anglers would be allowed 2 cutthroats under 15 inches and only cutthroat over 22 inches, with a 1, 1 aggregate limit. These changes were met with mixed emotions hv the public, but were largely supported and were ultimately approved by the Utah Wildlife Board. Diet information from gillnetting surveys indicate that larger cutthroats are more likely to prey extensively on fish. For example, diets from the fall gillnetting in 2003 indicated that just over 20 percent of all cutthroats caught ate fish as a major portion of their diet. The surveys yp(TtH.1.TTffET7iT The Times-New- s 96 South Main, Nephi 4 also found that 33 percent of cutthroats over 18 inches were predatory, and nearly 50 percent of the cutthroats over 20 inches were feeding on fish. Therefore, the more cutthroats over 20 inches there are in Strawberry, the more impact they'll have on Utah chub populations. Regulation Changes Appear to be Working Less than a year after the implementation of the new regulations. Strawberry and its anglers are seeing the benefits. Cutthroat numbers and average size have increased since the fall of 2002, including a 152 percent increase in the proportion of cutthroats' over 20 inches. Preliminary analyses indicate that the new regulation has met or exceeded expectations of increasing the adult population of cutthroats by 45 percent from 2002. In conjunction with the increases in cutthroat size and numbers, the overall incidence of predation on nongame fish by cutthroats has also increased, from 17 percent in 2002, to just over 20 percent in 2003. This increase in predation by a larger population of cutthroats led to a 31 percent decrease in the catch of chubs in the fall gillnetting from 2002 to 2003, and a 10 percent reduction in the adjusted biomass of chubs over the same period. These declines included a 158 percent decrease in the catch chubs that of the cutthroats primarily prey one-year-o- upon. percent reduction in the catch of redside shiners was also noticed from the fall of 2002 to the fall of 2003. The cutthroats in Strawberry will never eliminate a nongame fish like the Utah chub, and fairly large fluctuations in chub numbers are expected to continue. However, if given the chance, it appears cutthroats can have a dramatic impact on chub program. Although violations did not increase dramatically in 2003, many tickets were issued for slot limit violations. Violations can be avoided by simply knowing the regulations. Fishing regulations can be acquired from any DWR office. hunting or fishing licence agent or online at wildlife. Utah gov. Anglers are also encouraged to re port violations by calling the division's Help Stop Poaching Hotline at 1 O0 reported poaching violations. The DWRs 42 district conservation officers patrol districts that average more than 2,000 square miles in size, and they need your help solving a deer poaching Two more deer test positive case in southeastern Sevier County. State wildlife officers located the headless carcass in the Hogans Pass area after receiving a tip on Nov. 25. Anyone with information regarding this, or any other poaching incident, is asked to contact the Help Stop Poaching Hotline at for chronic wasting disease may be kept confidential, and rewards are available. HELP STOP POACHING This 4 point buck, seen East of Nephi, is typical of the deer that are moving onto their winter range and therefore are more accessible to poaching. Call Stop if you have information Poaching Hotline at about poaching in our area.. biologist for the DWR. We should have those results by the end of December. Since February 2003, a total of eight deer in Utah have tested positive for CWD. Five of those deer were killed m the LaSal Mountains, two were taken near Vernal and one was killed near Fountain Green in central Utah. Two more deer taken in lTtah during this falls general rifle buck deer hunt have tested positive for chronic wasting disease, the Division of Wildlife Resources announced Dec. 1. Both deer were mature bucks taken on the LaSal Mountains east of Moab. The hunters who took the deer have been notified that CWD For more information about CWD. including tips on handling animals taken in the field, visit the DWR's Internet Web site at wildlife. muzzleloader seasons has been completed, but were still waiting for final results from the rifle hunt," said Leslie McFarlane. wildlife Mobile attacks the central nervous system of deer and elk and is fatal to animals that contract it. However, according to the World Health Organization, "There is currently no evidence that CWD in cervidae deer and elk is transmitted to humans." the animals they took tested positive for CWI). DWR biologists took tissue samples from the deer during a sampling effort that was conducted on 17 hunting units during this falls deer hunting seasons. "Testing of samples obtained from deer taken during the archery and utah.govhuntingbiggame cwd. spayneuter unit coming to Nephi December 22nd animals with special conditions. Animals must be between 8 weeks and six years of age. Do not feed pet after 9 pan. the night before surgery if pet is over 1 months: do not feed after 6 a.m. if pet is under 4 months. Water is okay. No sick animals. Vaccinations available for spayneuter clients only. Microchips also The Big Fix Discount Spay Neuter unit will be at the following locations in December: Ben Franklin Store. 385 N. Main St., Monday, Dec. 22. Santaquin Citv Building. 15 W. 100 S Tuesday, Dec. 23. Space is limited. Intake 8:00 a. m. till full. Brices are female dog, $ 10, male dog. $30. fenlale cat. S25. male cat. $15. Family Plan (mom and litter fixed litter mu.-- t be less than 6 months old Family Cat Plan, $85. Family Dog Plan, $125. $10 extra for pregnancies and dog over 80 lbs. Additional fees for available. Cats must be in labeled carriers. For more i 4-- - D PLUMBING & information, call FIX or check wwvv. utahpets. org. 1 BUILDERS SUPPLY CALL 623-- 1 199 FOR SERVICE Heating Service Plumbing Service Well Service Licensed Contractor we Service What We Sell! Factory Trained We 866-PETS 66 SOUTH MAIN. NEPHI, UTAH A 272 abundance. Increased numbers and size of cutthroats, as well as decreases in the chub population in 2003. indicate that the future still looks bright for Strawberry. Anglers should feel proud that they have done their part to help maintain the viability of this important fishery. Continued compliance to the fishing regulations at Strawberry is vital to the success of its management 154 investigated beacon batteries and pur- chase equipment. The Utah to be helping Strawberry Reservoir fishery Division of Wildlife Resources nerable to poaching activity. In November, DWR officers snowmobile on public land. Stucki also reminds riders to check avalanche conditions and information before venturing outdoors. All snowmobilers should carry a beacon, shovel and probe. This is a perfect time of year to check New regulations appear about what biologists found during surveys this year: Background During 2002, when the deer breeding season, and recent fall snows, large deer are more accessible and vul- remember, children under age eight cannot operate a office changes and information Division of Wildlife Resources are still busy protecting the states wildlife populations. With the start of the mule education certificate. Please each week throughout the changes for this turnaround atone of Utahs most popular fisheries. Alan Ward, DWR fisheries biologist at Strawberry Reservoir, provides the following background on the regulation Utahs general season big game hunts are over, but conservation officers with the Education Certificate while operating a snowmobile on any public land. Drivers 16 years and older must have a valid drivers license or OHV Before You Go! snowmobile education class. Classes are available now and continue Biologists are crediting recent fishing regulation Sevier County quires young drivers eight For avalanche information, training and the Know Before You Go! program, please contact the Utah State Parks and Recreation OHV Education The number of Utah chubs in Strawberry Reservoir appears to be declining while the number of larger cutthroat trout that prey on them appears to be growing, Division of Wildlife Resources fisheries biologists have announced. Help needed to solve deer poaching case in riding season. Know Before You Go! education classes teach the fundamentals of safe and responsible snowmobile riding. Utah law rethrough December 10, 2003 7 Page personneli. are looking for individuals to Installs for Wireless Internet. Informants Other recent poaching cases include: Two hours of Thanksgiving Day searching for a trophy deer Heres your chance to help protect and improve lTtahs land and watersheds. The Ltah Soil Conservation Commission is now taking nominations for three of the five elected board member positions on each of the 38 a Soil Conservation Districts (SCD) .across the state. These boards provide opportunities for local direction of federal and state conservation programs as they impact private lands. They also impact conservation activities on public lands. For over 60 years SCDs have helped install conservation practices that have protected and improve Utah's watersheds. SCDs can help carry out Governor Walkers Watershed Initiative that she recently announced. Cary G. Peterson, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, is chair of the Utah Soil Conservation Commission that directs soil conservation district hoard member elections. This commission has responsibility to plan watershed improvement projects. The districts carry out these plans at the local level. Commissioner Peterson said. "Voters have the opportunity to nominate and elect individuals who will direct the programs and activities of Utahs 38 Soil Conservation Districts. Soil Conservation Districts are governed by a board of five citizens elected by their peers in a special election conducted by mail. Board r members serve a term of office. An SCD is a four-yea- dependent special service district with authority under Utah Code 17A. SCD board member candidates are nominated locally, either by a do 6237010 (a) Cam-yon- :0" trophy mule deer south of Myton on Nov. 19. The man, licensed bowhunter, illegally shot the animal with a rifle when he was unable to get within effective archery range to shoot the deer. DWR Officer Chad Bettridge responded to the incident after a concerned sportsman called a the Help Stop Poaching Hotline. On Nov. 18, DWR Officer Shawn Bagley was called to investigate a reported deer poaching near the mouth of American Fork Canyon. He arrived to find two juvenile suspects being detained by a witness. The young men had shot a deer while target practicing in the area. fit nominating committee, which consists of the chairs of the county commissioncouncil, USDA Farm Service Agency county committee, the SCD, and the county agricultural extension agent. Or, they can be nominated by public petition submitted by six or more registered voters living within the SCD boundaries. Nominations by petition are due at the Commission at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food by January 6; 2004. Ballots will be mailed the latter part of January 2004. To satisfy the legal requirements a candidate must be at 18 years of age and be resident of the Soil Conservation District in which they will serve. Three of the five least a SCD Board members must be operators of private agricul- tural land. Each candidate is provided a summary of duties and must sign a Commitment to Serve Form confirming their willingness to serve, if elected. It would be beneficial if a candidate understands land management systems and conservation treatment techniques. Even better, it would be helpful if the candb date understands the makeup and duties of the SCD and supports the mission and goals of state and national conservation partners. Candidate nomination petition and ballot request forms, and further information about the election process can be obtained from local SCD, USU Extension Service, and USDA Service Center officials, by email! calling ing JakeJacobsonSutah.govJ or writing to the Utah Soil Conservation Commission, PO Box 46500, Salt Lake Cityl ), 1 8 4114-650- r give The gift cIfis)earrfat (jives 9 car Long! (jive a gift subscription to Lhe Limcs-Ceu'- s Holiday Special r I and onfy $12 per year anyivfierc speed Wireless 4 ' r 3 r ry t . J C for our'Efcctronic Caff v) Your fricnJIy Internet Sen ice Provider Cell VW tfiis year. Otify $24 per year in Juab County, $30 per year cbscu'ficrc in tbc VS 1st month free when you signInternet. up For high . Candidates sought for Soil Conservation District Boards Interested? Contact Crystal Utah County men spent the early morning in the Cedar Fort area. Bei'f tween 2:30 and 4:30 a.m. they located the animal in a field near the mouth of Ophir One of the men shot the deer while the other held a spotlight. The animals head' was removed, and the carcass was abandoned. Both men were arrested and are now subject to felony level charges of wanton destruction of protected wildlife. Felony charges are pending for a Duchesne County man who shot and killed a version! today to start your subscription or stop by 623-052- 5 at 06 South Main Mcpfii. 623-701- 0 662-DEER. t |